Latest News in Oakland, CA

Your trusted source for local Oakland, CA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.

State funding for Bay Area transit is on the rocks

California's Bay Area transit agencies face severe service cuts if a $750 million state loan remains unapproved before the legislative session ends Friday. State Senators Jesse Arreguín and Scott Wiener warned that without the funding, transit systems like BART and Muni could drastically reduce services, causing increased traffic congestion. The loan's approval hinges on finalizing terms today as part of a broader budget package.

Dish of the week Drunken noodles from Tao Yuen

Tao Yuen, a renowned dim sum restaurant in Oakland's Chinatown, serves popular drunken noodles that attract long lines from open to close. These stir-fried rice noodles have become a staple for locals and visitors alike. The dish exemplifies the vibrant culinary scene in Oakland.

Advocates celebrate Bay Area transit with a month of special events

Advocates in the San Francisco Bay Area celebrate public transit with a series of special events throughout September 2025. The initiative aims to highlight the importance of public transport options like trams and BART in urban mobility.

East Bay restaurant openings heat up in August

Several new restaurants have opened in the East Bay, including Dandelion Kaffe and Park Station in Alameda. Albany welcomed Sakana and Yasai, while Berkeley's Epicurious Garden now features Itani Sushi and Hopscotch. These openings reflect a growing trend in local dining options.

Remembering David Chicken Nesmith, protector of Oaklands water and the San Francisco Bay, and mentor to Oaklands youth

David “Chicken” Nesmith, a dedicated environmental activist and mentor, died on March 26. He championed the San Francisco Bay watershed and played a pivotal role in various conservation efforts, including preventing the expansion of the San Francisco airport into the bay. His legacy includes mentoring young activists and advocating for sustainable water policies in California.

Entire BART system was out of service for 6 hours

BART resumed full train operations at 11:45 a.m. after a six-hour outage caused by a computer equipment problem. Limited East Bay service began at 9:30 a.m., but delays affected routes to San Francisco and the Peninsula.

Oakland Museum of California announces free field trips for Oakland public schools

The Oakland Museum of California will provide free field trips for all Oakland Unified School District schools over the next three years, aiming to increase student access to art, science, and history. The initiative, funded by the Daryl Lillie Fund, includes doubling transportation scholarships to eliminate barriers for students and teachers.

Controversy brews over Oaklands police surveillance camera system

Oakland's plan to expand its police surveillance camera network faces backlash after reports surfaced that immigration agents accessed its data. Activists argue that increased surveillance threatens vulnerable communities and is based on misleading crime narratives, while some local businesses support the expansion due to rising safety concerns.

Barbara Lees first 100 days as Oakland mayor on the podcast

Mayor Barbara Lee marks her first 100 days in office amid significant challenges, including crime, homelessness, and budget issues in Oakland. She aims to rebuild trust in city government while addressing federal threats and fostering unity in the community. Lee's administration prioritizes public safety and innovative housing solutions.

Oakland could arrest people for being homeless under councilmembers proposal

Oakland plans to change its approach to homelessness by allowing police to cite or arrest unhoused individuals camping in prohibited areas, regardless of available shelter. District 7 Councilmember Ken Houston's proposal, introduced this week, eliminates a previous policy that barred such actions solely based on homelessness status. If approved, this policy could align Oakland with other California cities adopting stricter encampment rules following a recent Supreme Court ruling.

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